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Access to Work Scheme — [Carolyn Harris in the Chair]
15 April 2026
Lead MP
David Chadwick
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Diana R. Johnson
Tags
EmploymentScience & Technology
Word Count: 4058
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
David Chadwick raised concerns about access to work scheme — [carolyn harris in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should take urgent steps to address the b [1D [K backlog, improve the speed and clarity of the system, ensure accessibility [K for all users, and make funding decisions that accurately reflect the reali [5D [K reality of specialist support required by disabled individuals.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Disabled people face significant barriers in accessi [7D [K accessing the Access to Work scheme due to delays in assessments and fundin [6D [K funding decisions that do not reflect their specific needs. The waiting lis [3D [K list has grown to 66,000 people, with some constituents waiting over nine m [1D [K months for an assessment and up to a year for self-employed individuals. Th [2D [K There are also issues with the system's functionality, including forced rea [3D [K reapplications and long reconsideration processes. Funding decisions often [K cut support despite unchanged needs, punishing those living in lower-wage r [1D [K regions like Wales.
Adam Dance
Lib Dem
Yeovil
Megan was offered an internship with Silver Lining i [1D [K in Ilminster, fully funded by Access to Work for 15 hours but only received [8D [K received funding for three hours. This has led Megan to claim universal cre [3D [K credit as she cannot find accessible employment.
Caroline Voaden
Lib Dem
South Devon
She raised concerns about the strain on the Access t [1D [K to Work scheme and provided two examples from her constituency: a self-empl [9D [K self-employed artist with selective mutism who is receiving insufficient su [2D [K support, and a local business supporting autistic and ADHD adults into work [4D [K work which has had to stop taking new clients due to low payment rates. She [3D [K She urged for real reform and an update of the outdated scheme.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Many employers wish to hire disabled people but are [K unable to do so due to the inefficiencies in the Access to Work scheme, whi [3D [K which prevents them from expediently providing necessary support. The hon. [K Gentleman agrees that there needs to be better cooperation between those se [2D [K seeking employment and their potential employers.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
The Disability Poverty Campaign Group reports that a [1D [K average support under the Access to Work scheme has dropped sharply in rece [4D [K recent years, leading to a decline in job retention from 88% to 43%, hinder [6D [K hindering employment opportunities for disabled individuals.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
He shared his personal experience with the Access to [2D [K to Work programme, highlighting its importance in helping him return to wor [3D [K work after a neurological illness. He expressed concern over reports of unp [3D [K unprocessed applications and highlighted a report by the Disability Policy [K Centre which suggested that up to 50,000 disabled people could lose their j [1D [K jobs without the scheme.
Government Response
Diana R. Johnson
Government Response
The Minister emphasised the importance of Access to [2D [K to Work in supporting disabled individuals and those with health conditions [10D [K conditions, aiming to remove barriers to employment. She acknowledged the c [1D [K challenges faced by the scheme due to increased demand and administrative b [1D [K backlogs but highlighted ongoing efforts to improve data systems, staffing [K levels, and application processing efficiency. The Minister also discussed [K plans for reforming Access to Work based on feedback from users and disable [7D [K disabled people's organisations. Funding in 2024-25 stood at £321 million, [K up from £166 million in 2018-19, with spending on support workers represent [9D [K representing the largest share of expenditure at 71%. The Department is als [3D [K also working to improve data privacy and will consult closely with stakehol [8D [K stakeholders during the transition period. The goal remains to ensure that [K everyone who can work receives the necessary support to achieve their full [K potential.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.